News 10/04/2018

After quite a start, September remained eventful on the publishing front.

Contests

I’ve shown up on three long lists (also known as close-but-not-cigar or CBNC lists) in the recent month or so, which might mean that my writing has leveled up. I’ve already reported on making the CBNC list for The Molotov Cocktail “Flash Beast” contest; that one was my first. Two more followed:

To Hull and Back humorous short story competition: long list with the story “Used-Car Salesman’s Niece to Meet Swedish Royalty” [link], which was originally published in The Dirty Pool. This competition had nearly 500 entries and the long list was 40, so it feels pretty good to be in top <10%. Unfortunately, only 20 get published in what promises to be a cool-looking anthology. I am one of only two Americans on the long list (none on the short list). I hope the USA makes a stronger showing next year!

The Arcanist Ghost Stories competition: honorable mention (a.k.a., placement on the long list) with my story “Rimor Mortis.” The four winners and five honorable mentions were collected into an Amazon Kindle contest anthology, available here. I represent writers without Y chromosomes in this nine-piece collection.

My tiny story “Pizza Night” continues to kick butt. It was chosen as Story of the Month for August in 50-Word Stories, which comes with bragging rights, 10 CAD, and a chance to compete for Story of the Year.

“The Voids Underneath,” The Molotov Cocktail, Vol. 9, Issue 8, September 2018. This story received a lot of love on Twitter and is one of the best I’ve written so far. It was the CBNC in the Molotov “Flash Beast” comp, so I’m extra glad it found a home in one of Molotov regular issues.

Acceptances

“Mildew,” a dark surrealist long flash, made it into Ellipsis Zine‘s fourth print anthology, called The Whisper Place. There were nearly 200 entries and just over 20 stories were accepted after a blind read, so making it into the collection was no mean feat. The author lineup is great, and Ellipsis Zine anthologies always look gorgeous. I’m really looking forward to this publication.

“Troo Raccoon,” a sci-fi long flash, has been accepted by a new semipro venue, Unfit Magazine, and will appear in the upcoming Issue 2 among the work of some amazing writers.

Pending Submissions

A story that might be my best piece yet is currently being held for further consideration in a pro-paying anthology. I am excited and scared. The piece is great and I think it’s an excellent fit for the collection. If I get in, that will be my first pro publication. I will have to do something awesome to celebrate.

Also pending: a dark fairy-tale flash and a dark sci-fi micro.

Plans

As work is really busy, I don’t know how much fiction writing I will get a chance to do before Christmas break, but I planned on the following: